Jerry West has passed away at 86 years old, mu🐭ltiple sources shared on Wednesday morning.
One of the most important figures in NBA history, West had most recently served as an executive with the Los Angeles Clippers. The latter stage of his career consisted of making lengthy stops at multiple front offices and finding success near🔯ly ♔every step of the way.
RIP Jerry West
Nobody will ever have a career like West again. After playing college ball at West Virginia University, he was drafted No. 2 overall by the Minneapolis Lakers𓂃. The team would swiftly move out to Los Angeles, where West would become one of the biggest names in the sport. He made the All-Star Game every season of his career, but that might be the least impressive thing on his resume.
West won an NBA championship in 1972 alongside Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. He’s also the only player to ever win NBA Finals MVP despite losing in the championship series. The Lakers lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics in 1969, but West still earned the accolade thanks to his 37.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.7 points per game.
West spent the entirety of his career with the Lakers and retired in 1974. He would f🌠inish with 14 All-Star appearances, 10 All-NBA First Team nods, four All-Defensive First Team awards, an NBA scoring title in 1970, and an NBA assists title in 1972. Yet, this was still only the beginning of what would become one of the most impressive careers in professional sports history.
Indeed, West arguably found even more success as a front-office leader over the next five decades. The Lakers named him their general manager in 1979, and what came next was pure dominance. West served as the GM for six NBA Championships and ten NBA Finals appearances. However, when we consider his role in trading for Kobe Bryant and signing Shaquille O’Neal, it’s hard not to give him credit for the Lakers’ following three rings in the 2000s.
After taking his talents to the Memphis Grizzlies for five seasons in the late-2000s, West went on to join the NBA’s next dynasty. He signed on as a board member for the Golden State Warriors and picked up two more rings in 2015 and 2017.
It’s nearly impossible to put into words just how much West meant for the NBA and the game of basketball. The league has him to thank for some of the most celebrated teams in league history – whether it be as a player or executive. Of course, they also have him to thank for their iconic logo. West served as the inspiration for the silhouette that debuted in the late 60s.
A member of the as a player and Olympic Team Member, West was inaugurated for a third time in 2024 for his role as a “contributor.”
West’s story is long and noble, so I encourage everyone to take a look at all the amazing words that I’m sure are about to flood the internet. I’ll drop some below, starting with Adam Silver’s statement on West’s passing.
